MONROE CO . — The controversial, multi-million-dollar plan for a new Monroe County jail and justice center has been put on hold indefinitely after the County Council voted unanimously against further funding for the project.

In a special meeting that lasted over seven hours and featured passionate public comment, all seven county councilors rejected a request for an additional $3 million appropriation intended to purchase the land for the proposed complex, which would have brought the total land cost to $11 million. Furthermore, the Council agreed to cease payments to the architectural firm contracted to design the project.

The decision is a blow to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, whose representatives expressed deep disappointment. Sheriff Marté has long emphasized the critic

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